This story is about a school which has different way of teachings humanitarian values to students. The writer visited a school as he had heard a lot about it. He wanted to meet Miss Beam.
Miss Beam was a middle-age lady. Her hair was beginning to turn grey. She had a plump figure. Though she was quite authoritative, but was a kind and helpful lady.
The Writer Saw a Girl whose Eyes were Covered with a Bandage
After arriving in the school, the writer saw a girl of about 12 years of age. Her eyes were covered with a bandage and she was being helped by a little boy aged 8. She asked the boy about the writer and then they passed on. Miss Beam said the real aim of the school was to teach thoughtfulness and kindness towards others. The students should become responsible citizens. They learn through interaction and interesting talks, during which they have to sit still and keep quiet.
Miss Beam Told the Writer to Look Outside the Window for Reasons
The writer said he could see beautiful grounds and cheerful children. But they were not looking healthy and active. He said he saw a poor little girl with some vision problem, when he arrived in the school. There are two more girls with the same difficulty. There was also a girl with a crutch, watching other children at play.
She said the girl was not lame but it was a lame day for her. The other girls were not blind but it was blind day for them. This is a vital part of the education system, which makes the children appreciate and understand misfortune. Each term every child has one blind day, one lame day, one deaf day, one injured day and one dunmb day, so that they could feel the misfortunes of others.
During the blind day their eyes are bandaged and they were not allowed to see. They needed help from others. Others children are given the duty to help them. All the children learn a lot from this way. Everyone is very kind and learn what misfortune is at the end of the day.
The Writer Asks for Children’s Opinion about the Teaching Methods
Miss Beam asked the writer to come to the garden and see himself how the children feel about the unique teaching methods. The writer asked a girl if she ever peeded and she answered in negative, saying it would be cheating. The writer found it awful to be blind. The children said their helpers were fine and those who have been blind already will be the best helpers.
A student shared the experience about being lame and hopping about on a crutch. She said it was troublesome when her arm was tied up. She said she could manage being deaf but it is difficult to be blind as one is afraid of getting hurt.
The Writer Discovered a Lot and Became Thoughtful
The writer walked towards a house with a girl and started telling her about things and people around them. Miss Beam was walking with Millie. The girl gave full description about Millie. The writer told her about an old man typing up roses. He was the gardener. Then came Anita on crutches.
The writer gradually discovered that he was ten times more thoughtful and realised that he could also describe about things and people in better way. The writer later told Miss Beam that he was sorry to leave them. He wanted to spend more time with Miss Beam and the other children. Miss Beam acknowledged that her system then must be useful for children as. It has impressed the writer also.